**Copy And Paste The Application And Print It Out And Completely Fill It Out And Bring It To The Meeting**
The Junior Firefighter Program was instituted by the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department as a training program for young men and women, aged 14-18, interested in serving their community and preparing to become active firefighters upon reaching the age of 18. At the age of 18, the Junior Firefighter is eligible to become a full member of the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department. As a Junior Firefighter, members serve in a support role for the senior firefighter at actual emergencies as a supplement to a formal training program. The Junior Firefighters attend monthly training meetings with the full Department. The second Tuesday of the month is a business meeting for the entire fire department. The fourth Monday is a training meeting for the entire department. There may also be training on Saturdays. A fire department officer serves as the Junior Firefighter training officer, and he/she is the primary contact person for the Junior Firefighters. Those selected are expected to act in a mature manner and commit to a demanding, long term program. In both training sessions and actual emergency situations, the safety of the Junior Firefighter is of paramount concern to the Department. As such, the activities of the Junior Firefighters are limited in scope and the fire officers closely supervise them. The Junior Firefighters quickly become an integral part of the firefighting team during emergencies, serving in such important capacities as establishing a water supply, supplying equipment for senior firefighter, changing air packs, setting ladders, and assisting with interior overhaul once a fire has been extinguished. Members can only participate in the prior activities after passing personal protective equipment knowledge, apparatus knowledge, tool knowledge, ladder knowledge, water supply knowledge and attended 50% of training meetings and after 3 months of probation. At all times the Junior Firefighter should be under direct supervision and control of the Fire Chief or other Fire Officer on an emergency scene. It should be understood, however, that despite the training and supervision provided, firefighting is a dangerous activity and serious injury is a possibility. The fire officers will make every effort to minimize the Junior Firefighters’ expose to danger. It is also the responsibility of the Junior Firefighter to avoid known hazardous situations. Due to the inherent dangers of firefighting, strict rules of conduct and tight procedural standards have to be established. In an actual emergency, it is essential that all firefighters, including Junior Firefighters, act in a calm and efficient manner. The Junior Firefighters are expected to attend training meetings to be prepared for the many challenges presented in an emergency situation. Each member is expected to read and understand these requirements and to adhere to the standards. The administrative officers are available to discuss any questions.
1. Any resident that lives in or no more than 1 mile of the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department coverage area, between the ages 14-18 that is enrolled in a school in which they are attending to receive their High School diploma or GED may make application for membership in the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department Junior Firefighter Program. The Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department will have a maximum of 10 Junior Firefighters.
2. The applicant must be in good academic standing at his/her school at the time of application and during the period of membership as a Junior Firefighter. A minimum of (“C” to “D” grade) must be maintained.
3. The applicant must complete an application, including a medical information and background check. Included with the application is a parental consent that must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. The application must be approved by the fire department Chief and Junior Firefighter officer.
1. The general standard of conduct is to act in the manner of a professional. Junior Firefighters represent the fire department, and are expected to be courteous and respectful to fellow firefighters and emergency service personnel and all citizens served. The fire department will not tolerate vulgar, offensive, discriminatory or threatening language or gestures at any time. Junior Firefighters may not wear any article of clothing that, in the eye of an officer, would be offensive to the public served. Violations will result in disciplinary action, and may include suspension.
2. The fire department maintains a “zero tolerance” policy with respect to drug and alcohol use and violation of public laws. Any possession or use of alcohol or illegal drugs, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, on fire department premises or apparatus, emergency scene, training drill, official function, will result in immediate and permanent suspension from the fire department Junior Firefighter Program. Junior Firefighters may not smoke or dip on fire department premises or apparatus, emergency scene, training drill, official function, or while in Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department uniform. The Junior Firefighter program is a smoke free program. Any arrest or conviction for a crime will result in disciplinary action, including permanent suspension.
3. Junior Firefighters may not use or display any emergency lights or sirens on their personal vehicles, unless the vehicle is operated by a parent or guardian that is a member of Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department.
4. Junior Firefighters are not permitted to attend overnight stand-by details (will be released from a stand-by no later than 9:00 PM) or to accompany fire department firefighters covering the station of another fire department.
5. Junior Firefighters may not borrow fire department equipment for personal use.
6. Junior Firefighters may not drive fire department vehicles at any time. Junior Firefighters are expected to attend and train as a firefighter as often as they can.
7. Power tools, hydraulic and pressurized air operated equipment, and cutting devices such as chain saws, air bags and Hurst Tools are to be operated only under the direct supervision of a fire officer or his/her designee. Power tool use is for training purposes only at training meetings. A Junior Firefighter may not operate any power tool, hydraulic or pressurized air operated equipment or cutting device at an emergency scene. Full protective gear, including gloves and eye protection, must be worn by Junior Firefighters at all times when operating any equipment.
8. Junior Firefighters are not to participate in any fire department activity, including emergencies, during school hours. Junior Firefighters are not to leave school, or any school sponsored activity, for an emergency response. Junior Firefighters are not to respond to any alarm dispatched after 9:00 PM on school nights (Sunday – Thursday). Junior Firefighters are not to respond to any alarm dispatched after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights without a parent or guardian that is in the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department.
9. Junior Firefighters must attend a minimum of 50% of training meetings conducted each year. Junior Firefighters are not required to respond to emergency calls.
10. Junior Firefighters are responsible for the care of all fire department gear issued to them. Junior Firefighters will be assigned a marked helmet to designate that they are a junior member.
11. Junior Firefighters are to be seated in the truck cab when the apparatus is in motion.
12. Junior Firefighters are to report directly to the station at all times. Junior Firefighters are not to drive personal vehicles to any scene unless directed by an Officer. THEY MUST OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS!
13. Report any injury to the fire Chief or the officer in charge of that scene.
14. Junior Firefighters can ride on fire department apparatus that they have been trained on.
15. Junior Firefighters will be issued a unit number. The Junior Firefighters unit numbers will run 2451-2460. The unit number 2451 will be designated for a Junior Captain only if there is a minimum of 3 Junior Firefighters. The Junior Captain will be elected by their peers. The Fire Chief or Junior Firefighter Officer will be the tie breaker in the case of a tie vote.
16. Junior Firefighters will be issued a Personal Accountability Tag with their unit number engraved on it. The personal accountability tag will be given to the Pump Operator on the front line truck. It is the Junior Firefighters responsibility to retrieve their tag from the person they gave it to after the emergency scene is over.
17. All Junior Firefighters will train in all aspects of fire suppression except for interior live fire extinguishment.
2. Junior firefighters are not to direct traffic at any time on an emergency scene.
3. Junior firefighters are not to operate any fire pumps on an emergency scene.
4. Prior to responding to alarms, the junior firefighter must be trained, and demonstrate proficiency in the use of scba equipment. Junior Firefighter use of scba equipment at an emergency scene is reserved for defensive, escape purposes only. Junior firefighter is to remain well clear of an area of operations requiring use of supplemental breathing air. Junior firefighters are to stay at the pumper or tankers at all times during a working fire and assist the pump operator and tanker drivers
5. Junior firefighters must wear all protective gear while on the an emergency scene. Their will be no exceptions .
6. Junior Firefighters are not to enter a burning structure, confined space or underground area, or area subject to collapsing under no circumstances. Once a fire has been brought under control, and the building determined to be structurally sound and free of hazardous materials and toxic gas, the junior firefighter may enter the building if accompanied at all times by a fire department officer or his/her designee. This must be with the consent of the Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, or Officer in charge of scene. Junior firefighters may help in controlling or extinguishing brush and wild land fires. Junior Firefighters must be properly trained and under the direct supervision of a Fire Officer. Junior Firefighters must remain well clear of a motor vehicle fire or other type fire presenting exposure to flammable liquids or hazardous materials. At an emergency scene, a Junior Firefighter may not climb a ladder or operate from a roof or other elevated position. At an emergency scene, a Junior Firefighter may not operate any power tool, hydraulic or pressurized air operated equipment, or cutting devices.
7. Upon arrival at an emergency scene, a Junior Firefighter is not to enter a private dwelling or other structure with senior Firefighters for investigation or emergency action of any type. Junior Firefighters are to remain with the apparatus or in close proximity to the incident commander, and await specific orders from a fire department officer. If the Junior Firefighter receives orders from an officer (or request from a firefighter) of another fire department ,it is incumbent upon the Junior Firefighter to advise that officer or firefighter of his/her status as a Junior Firefighter and the limitations placed upon him/her. All orders received from a fire officer are to be obeyed and executed completely. If, due to safety concerns or for any other reason, the Junior Firefighter is unable to complete an assigned task, the officer issuing the order, or another officer in his/her absence, should be immediately notified by the Junior Firefighter who received the order.
8. At an emergency alarm involving downed power lines or gas leak, the Junior Firefighter must remain aboard the apparatus until the area of operation for the Junior Firefighter is determined to be safe by a fire department officer.
9. Junior Firefighters are not to make any public comments or make statements to the media at the time of an emergency incident, or following the incident, concerning conditions relating to the emergency scene. Examples of comments to avoid are the cause and origin of a fire, condition of fire victims, condition of a home interior or fire fighting technique. All public inquiries are to be referred to the incident commander or fire department Chief. It should be understood by the Junior Firefighter that the fire inspectors or arson investigators and other governmental officials are required to inspect certain types of damage; their presence may in no way indicate suspicion of wrongdoing on the part of the property owner. Junior Firefighters must also understand that individuals whose property has been damaged or destroyed and/or family members injured or killed are extremely sensitive to the statements and actions of emergency personnel. Fire department firefighters are expected to demonstrate the utmost of respect and compassion for these individuals in both their words and actions.
10. Valuables found at an emergency scene are to be immediately turned over to a fire department officer or police officer. Theft by a Junior Firefighter will result in an immediate suspension from the Junior Firefighter Program and the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department will be notified.
11. Junior Firefighters are not to have any direct contact with an injured person or dead body. Report any accidental contact with blood or other bodily fluid to a fire department officer or safety officer immediately.
12. If the Junior Firefighter comes to the station for meetings or drills, they are to stay at the fire hall until relieved by the training officer or Chief. They are not to leave the property of the station unless the officer is notified and then lets the person leave.
Created: February 19, 2009 passed on March 10, 2009
By: Junior Firefighter Officer Lt. Jason Hurst
Approved By: Chief Jim Klepper & Members of the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department